California Red-sided Gartersnake (Thamnophis sirtalis infernalis)
Created: May 16th, 2024 - 05:55 PM
Last Modified: May 16th, 2024 - 05:55 PM Entered by: Brad Sillasen
Record 374406
Last Modified: May 16th, 2024 - 05:55 PM Entered by: Brad Sillasen
Record 374406
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Country: United States |
State: California |
County: Ventura County |
Time: 2024-05-16 11:00:00 |
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Qty: 1 |
Age: -- |
Sex: -- |
Method: Road cruising |
Habitat: Grazed hilly grassland with isolated drainages. |
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Body Temperature: ----- |
Air Temperature: ----- |
Ground Temperature: ----- |
Humidity: ----- |
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Sky Conditions: Overcast |
Moon Phase: ----- |
Elevation: ----- |
Barometric Pressure: ----- |
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Notes
Snake found by Laurie Van Stee, late morning. Strange how far it was from a perennial water source. I've heard at least 3 prior reports of snakes showing lots of red in this immediate area, which includes the Ventura River. In my interrogations of the informants I could not reasonably establish confidence as to species, i.e., L. zonata, or T. sirtalis. The former would be in marginal habitat but could have washed down the drainage and become established. I more strongly suspected a relict population of T. s. infernalis and at least this specimen should establish the modern presence of T. sirtalis in the Ventura River drainage.
Vouchers
Comments
Follow up: The taxonomic status is apparently undefined. As per Gary Nafis, this maybe reconsidered as T. s. fitchi.
Great record!